I love old photos, stories, letters, and anything that offers a glimpse into what life was like for those before us. If you didn’t already know, National Library of Ireland has a vast collection of such photographs online! I am including some of Cork in this post. Click on any photo to go to the NLI’s page on Flickr with details on the photo. I precede each photo with the year (or estimated range) when it was taken.

1918 – Daunt’s Square view of Patrick’s Street

After Kent train station opened in February 1893.

11:19am around 1900 – Bridge Street looking up at Patrick’s Hill

1900-ish – The Coal Quay “Irish market” where Cornmarket and Bodega are now located.

1897–1910 view of Shandon bell tower and base of Shandon Street from around where Gate Cinemas is now.

1948–1950 Looking across the south fork of the River Lee up Grand Parade (Electric would be out of view on the right)